Diply
  • Home
  • DIY
    Dad carrying child on his shoulders (Unsplash | Kelly Sikkema)

    Simple Cardboard Vase Activity Encourages Kids To Explore The Great Outdoors

    Grandma crocheting

    Forget Flowers And Gift The DIYer In Your Life A Yarn Bouquet Instead

    Remodelaholic | https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:30_Hudson_Yards_(92900).jpg

    You Can Make Your Own Backyard Oasis With A Fire Pit Just In Time For Summer

    Pool noodle DIY monsters

    28 Amazing DIYs That Are Seriously Made From Pool Noodles

    Unsplash | Kenrick Mills

    Stunning ‘Sea Glass’ Quilts Are A Beautiful Way To Use Up Fabric Scraps

    Unsplash

    Artist Creates Adorable Creatures Inspired By Tea

  • Home & Garden
    joes-garden-on-tiktok-for-gardening-tips

    You’re Probably Watering Your Plants Wrong—Expert Explains The ONE Reason Your Plants Die Fast

    Home Depot | www.homedepot.com

    People Are Writing Hilarious Reviews For Home Depot’s $1500 Crab Sculpture

    Unsplash | Robin Wersich

    Woman Shares Hack To Help Keep Our Gardens Green All Summer

    Unsplash | Sandie Clarke

    18 Gardening Tips And Tricks Perfect For Beginners

    Unsplash | Annie Gray

    People Who Have Been On Home Makeover Shows Share How It’s Going Now

    Unsplash | Emiliano Bar

    TikToker Shows How Little $4,000 Rent Gets Apartment Hunters In NYC

    Red and Blue folded towels

    ‘What Is The Purpose Of This Part Of A Towel?’ – Online User Sparks Debate Over Confusing Detail In The Home Item

    Pexels  | Pexels

    We’ve Been Carving Pumpkins Wrong For Years, But One Woman Set Us All Straight

    yellow fish inflatable

    Gardener’s Genius Hack: Using A Kiddie Pool As A Flower Bed

  • Food & Drink
    Unsplash | Aubrey Odom-Mabey

    Woman Sets Out To Try All The Recipes Left On Grave Markers

    Reader's Digest | Paramount

    Cooking Mistakes We’re Probably All Making

    youtube | Warner Home Video

    Firefighters Rescue Two People Who Fell Into A Chocolate Tank At A Mars Factory

    Unsplash | Towfiqu barbhuiya

    Here Is The Perfect Peanut Butter And Pickle Sandwich Recipe

    Unsplash | Quin Engle

    A Man’s ‘Demonic’ Way To Cut Pizza Has Divided The Internet

    TikTok | @thewirelady

    Here’s The Perfect Hack For You To Make Chocolate Croissants With An Air Fryer

    Unsplash | Katie Smith

    People Are Dishing Out Their Favorite Lazy Cooking Cheats, So We’re Taking Notes

    Canva

    Disney’s Olaf Hot Chocolate Bombs Are Like A Warm Hug In Every Mug

    Instagram | @lacroixwater

    LaCroix Is Launching A Limoncello Flavor, And It’s The Perfect Mix For Cocktails

  • Cooking & Recipes
    Unsplash | Aubrey Odom-Mabey

    Woman Sets Out To Try All The Recipes Left On Grave Markers

    Reader's Digest | Paramount

    Cooking Mistakes We’re Probably All Making

    Unsplash | Towfiqu barbhuiya

    Here Is The Perfect Peanut Butter And Pickle Sandwich Recipe

    TikTok | @thewirelady

    Here’s The Perfect Hack For You To Make Chocolate Croissants With An Air Fryer

    Unsplash | Katie Smith

    People Are Dishing Out Their Favorite Lazy Cooking Cheats, So We’re Taking Notes

    Unsplash | CA Creative

    People Are Sharing The Worst Homemade Meals They’ve Ever Had

    NBC | NBC

    Random (But Useful) Kitchen Hacks Everyone Should Know

    Unsplash | Conscious Design

    Hilarious Cooking Mistakes That Took A Bad Turn

    Unsplash | Louis Hansel

    Chefs Share The Ingredients People Often Overlook

  • Bed & Bath
    Unsplash | Grant Beirute

    Costco Has A 10-Foot Blanket That Has Cozy Family Time Written All Over It

    Unsplash | Jude Infantini

    Expert Says Not Washing Pillows Often Enough Can Make People Sick

    Pexels  | Pexels

    18 People Who Took Bathroom Decor To The Extreme

    Unsplash | Jeremy Sallee

    Chances Are Most Of Us Have Been Washing Our Duvets Wrong

    Unsplash | LeeAnn Cline

    Wife Sparks Debate After She Says There’s No Need To Iron Bedsheets

    Unsplash | Nathan Powers

    Apparently, Vodka Is The Secret Ingredient To A Spotless Bathroom

  • Pets & Animals
    Croc attack

    Horrific Footage Of Tourist Mauled By 15ft Crocodile After Jumping Into Enclosure

    Vanilla the chimp sees the open sky

    Stunning Footage Shows Chimp Experiencing Sunlight For First Time After Almost Three Decades in A Cage

    Genetically created 'dire wolf' (Colossal Biosciences)

    Scientists Claim to Have Brought Back Wolf Species From 10,000 Years of Extinction –  But Other Experts Dispute It

    Unsplash | Hans-Jurgen Mager

    15 Animals With Vaguely Threatening Auras

    TikTok | @cat_the_vet

    Veterinarian Explains Why Norway Banned Breeding Bulldogs And Cavalier Spaniels

    Unsplash | Colin + Meg

    Incredible Footage of Moose Shedding Antlers – See It for Yourself

    Unsplash | Sergey Semin

    Cat With No Eyes Has A New Life Now As An Online Sensation

    Cats can contract bird flu and people should be aware

    Protecting Your Cats from Bird Flu: Essential Tips to Keep Them Safe

    Facebook | David Tan

    Retired Military Pilot Has Flown Over 360 Rescue Dogs Closer To Their New Homes

No Result
View All Result
Diply
  • Home
  • DIY
    Dad carrying child on his shoulders (Unsplash | Kelly Sikkema)

    Simple Cardboard Vase Activity Encourages Kids To Explore The Great Outdoors

    Grandma crocheting

    Forget Flowers And Gift The DIYer In Your Life A Yarn Bouquet Instead

    Remodelaholic | https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:30_Hudson_Yards_(92900).jpg

    You Can Make Your Own Backyard Oasis With A Fire Pit Just In Time For Summer

    Pool noodle DIY monsters

    28 Amazing DIYs That Are Seriously Made From Pool Noodles

    Unsplash | Kenrick Mills

    Stunning ‘Sea Glass’ Quilts Are A Beautiful Way To Use Up Fabric Scraps

    Unsplash

    Artist Creates Adorable Creatures Inspired By Tea

  • Home & Garden
    joes-garden-on-tiktok-for-gardening-tips

    You’re Probably Watering Your Plants Wrong—Expert Explains The ONE Reason Your Plants Die Fast

    Home Depot | www.homedepot.com

    People Are Writing Hilarious Reviews For Home Depot’s $1500 Crab Sculpture

    Unsplash | Robin Wersich

    Woman Shares Hack To Help Keep Our Gardens Green All Summer

    Unsplash | Sandie Clarke

    18 Gardening Tips And Tricks Perfect For Beginners

    Unsplash | Annie Gray

    People Who Have Been On Home Makeover Shows Share How It’s Going Now

    Unsplash | Emiliano Bar

    TikToker Shows How Little $4,000 Rent Gets Apartment Hunters In NYC

    Red and Blue folded towels

    ‘What Is The Purpose Of This Part Of A Towel?’ – Online User Sparks Debate Over Confusing Detail In The Home Item

    Pexels  | Pexels

    We’ve Been Carving Pumpkins Wrong For Years, But One Woman Set Us All Straight

    yellow fish inflatable

    Gardener’s Genius Hack: Using A Kiddie Pool As A Flower Bed

  • Food & Drink
    Unsplash | Aubrey Odom-Mabey

    Woman Sets Out To Try All The Recipes Left On Grave Markers

    Reader's Digest | Paramount

    Cooking Mistakes We’re Probably All Making

    youtube | Warner Home Video

    Firefighters Rescue Two People Who Fell Into A Chocolate Tank At A Mars Factory

    Unsplash | Towfiqu barbhuiya

    Here Is The Perfect Peanut Butter And Pickle Sandwich Recipe

    Unsplash | Quin Engle

    A Man’s ‘Demonic’ Way To Cut Pizza Has Divided The Internet

    TikTok | @thewirelady

    Here’s The Perfect Hack For You To Make Chocolate Croissants With An Air Fryer

    Unsplash | Katie Smith

    People Are Dishing Out Their Favorite Lazy Cooking Cheats, So We’re Taking Notes

    Canva

    Disney’s Olaf Hot Chocolate Bombs Are Like A Warm Hug In Every Mug

    Instagram | @lacroixwater

    LaCroix Is Launching A Limoncello Flavor, And It’s The Perfect Mix For Cocktails

  • Cooking & Recipes
    Unsplash | Aubrey Odom-Mabey

    Woman Sets Out To Try All The Recipes Left On Grave Markers

    Reader's Digest | Paramount

    Cooking Mistakes We’re Probably All Making

    Unsplash | Towfiqu barbhuiya

    Here Is The Perfect Peanut Butter And Pickle Sandwich Recipe

    TikTok | @thewirelady

    Here’s The Perfect Hack For You To Make Chocolate Croissants With An Air Fryer

    Unsplash | Katie Smith

    People Are Dishing Out Their Favorite Lazy Cooking Cheats, So We’re Taking Notes

    Unsplash | CA Creative

    People Are Sharing The Worst Homemade Meals They’ve Ever Had

    NBC | NBC

    Random (But Useful) Kitchen Hacks Everyone Should Know

    Unsplash | Conscious Design

    Hilarious Cooking Mistakes That Took A Bad Turn

    Unsplash | Louis Hansel

    Chefs Share The Ingredients People Often Overlook

  • Bed & Bath
    Unsplash | Grant Beirute

    Costco Has A 10-Foot Blanket That Has Cozy Family Time Written All Over It

    Unsplash | Jude Infantini

    Expert Says Not Washing Pillows Often Enough Can Make People Sick

    Pexels  | Pexels

    18 People Who Took Bathroom Decor To The Extreme

    Unsplash | Jeremy Sallee

    Chances Are Most Of Us Have Been Washing Our Duvets Wrong

    Unsplash | LeeAnn Cline

    Wife Sparks Debate After She Says There’s No Need To Iron Bedsheets

    Unsplash | Nathan Powers

    Apparently, Vodka Is The Secret Ingredient To A Spotless Bathroom

  • Pets & Animals
    Croc attack

    Horrific Footage Of Tourist Mauled By 15ft Crocodile After Jumping Into Enclosure

    Vanilla the chimp sees the open sky

    Stunning Footage Shows Chimp Experiencing Sunlight For First Time After Almost Three Decades in A Cage

    Genetically created 'dire wolf' (Colossal Biosciences)

    Scientists Claim to Have Brought Back Wolf Species From 10,000 Years of Extinction –  But Other Experts Dispute It

    Unsplash | Hans-Jurgen Mager

    15 Animals With Vaguely Threatening Auras

    TikTok | @cat_the_vet

    Veterinarian Explains Why Norway Banned Breeding Bulldogs And Cavalier Spaniels

    Unsplash | Colin + Meg

    Incredible Footage of Moose Shedding Antlers – See It for Yourself

    Unsplash | Sergey Semin

    Cat With No Eyes Has A New Life Now As An Online Sensation

    Cats can contract bird flu and people should be aware

    Protecting Your Cats from Bird Flu: Essential Tips to Keep Them Safe

    Facebook | David Tan

    Retired Military Pilot Has Flown Over 360 Rescue Dogs Closer To Their New Homes

No Result
View All Result
Diply
No Result
View All Result

‘City-Destroying’ Asteroid Now Has 1-in-43 Chance Of Hitting Earth—Scientists Warn NASA May Be Too Late To Stop It

by Reem Haqqi
3 months ago
in Astronomy, News & Media, Science & Technology
Reading Time: 8 mins read
A A
asteroid hit

Robert Lea/Space

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterPin This Post

This might sound like a sci-fi movie, but it’s real — an asteroid called 2024 YR4 has a small chance of hitting Earth. Scientists say there’s a one-in-43 (2.3 per cent) chance it could collide with us in 2032.

Not a guaranteed disaster, but enough for NASA to take it seriously.

RELATED STORIES

Selfie

Three Girls Missed One Heartbreaking Detail In A Selfie They Took Moments Before They Died

Trump

Shocking New Data Reveals How Many Trump Supporters Regret Voting For Him

Ben Cohen getting arrested

‘Congress Kills Poor Kids’: Ben & Jerry’s Cofounder Ben Cohen Arrested At US Senate For Protesting War On Gaza

Diddy, Cassie

Cassie Exposes Disturbing Way Diddy Would ‘Punish’ Her After Detailing Shocking ‘Freak Off’ Parties During Trial

NASA makes an emergency decision to assess the risk

James Webb Space Telescope
NASA/SWNS

Since this asteroid is a priority concern, NASA fast-tracked an emergency request to use the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to get better data.

“The Webb telescope will be crucial in helping us assess the true risk,” a NASA spokesperson said.

Time on JWST is tough to get, but when there’s a potential impact, they make an exception.

How big is the asteroid and why does it matter?

Tunguska explosion
The Siberian Times

It’s estimated to be around 90m (300 ft) wide — about the size of the Statue of Liberty. Not an extinction-level rock, but big enough to cause major damage.

The Tunguska explosion in 1908 flattened over 2,150 square km of forest, and that asteroid didn’t even hit the ground.

“An impact of this size would cause regional devastation,” an ESA scientist explained.

How was 2024 YR4 discovered and why is it a concern?

ATLAS telescope
Willie Koorts/SAAO

Spotted last year by NASA’s ATLAS telescope in Chile, its impact risk was first 1.3 per cent, then jumped to 2.3 per cent. That put it at the top of NASA and ESA’s watchlist.

“This asteroid’s trajectory places it on the highest-priority watchlist, as even a small change in its path could have significant consequences.”

Why size estimates can be inaccurate

Embed from Getty Images


Right now, size is based on reflected light, which isn’t always reliable.

“The larger an asteroid, the brighter it will appear, but this is not always the case,” said a planetary defense expert.

A dark asteroid could be much bigger than expected, while a shiny one might be smaller.

How JWST will provide a clearer assessment

Embed from Getty Images


Since JWST orbits 1.5 million km from Earth, it avoids atmospheric interference, allowing precise measurements.

“This is one of the most precise ways to determine the asteroid’s true size and composition,” a NASA official said.

It will also reveal what the asteroid is made of — important because some materials burn up in the atmosphere while others don’t.

What damage could 2024 YR4 cause?

2024 YR4 asteroid
NASA/Magdalena Ridge

If it hit, the explosion could be equivalent to 15 megatons of TNT—100 times stronger than the Hiroshima bomb, which killed 100,000 to 180,000 people.

“A strike in a populated area could cause millions of casualties,” an impact expert warned.

That said, most of Earth is uninhabited, so chances are it would hit an empty area.

What are the next steps for scientists?

ESA director
ESA/POLO MATHIEU

NASA and ESA will check in on 2024 YR4 twice — first in March when it’s brightest, then again in May. After that, it won’t be visible again until 2028.

“We will be watching this asteroid very closely,” said an ESA spokesperson. If risk levels increase, they’ll discuss the next steps.

Will the risk of impact decrease over time?

Embed from Getty Images


Most likely. Scientists expect that “the probability of 2024 YR4 hitting Earth should collapse towards zero as more data is collected.”

They’re only using four hours of JWST’s schedule to gather this data, and they’ve promised to make it all public.

“This is an opportunity to improve our planetary defense strategies,” an astronomer said. Even if this asteroid turns out to be harmless, it helps us prepare for future threats.

Scientists say time is running out to deflect 2024 YR4

Dr. Robin George's tweet
X | @SquigglyVolcano

Dr. Robin George Andrews isn’t hopeful about stopping it. “We might not be able to stop 2024 YR4,” he said. Deflecting an asteroid isn’t a quick fix — it takes at least a decade to plan and launch a mission. 

Right now? We’ve got less than eight years. “You need 10 years or more to build, plan and execute an asteroid deflection mission. We don’t have much time,” he explained.

NASA’s DART mission proved deflection is possible, but it might not work this time

NASA'S DART mission
NASA/Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab

NASA’s 2022 DART mission showed we can change an asteroid’s path by crashing into it. But Dr. Andrews warns that’s not a guaranteed solution. 

“It doesn’t mean we can use kinetic impactors like it to deflect any asteroid whenever we want. So much could go wrong if we try and hit it with something like DART,” he said.

The issue is that 2024 YR4 might not be a solid rock — it could be a loose “rubble pile.” If that’s the case, smashing into it wouldn’t push it away. It might just break apart, creating even more problems.

The odds are still low, but scientists need more data

Embed from Getty Images


For now, the impact risk is small. Dr. Andrews put it like this: imagine picking one button out of 43 — most likely, nothing happens, but there’s still a chance.

The good news? Scientists will track it closely, and odds are, more data will show it’s not a threat. “When more observations come in, it’s probable that the impact odds will plummet to zero,” he said.

But if it does hit, it wouldn’t be minor. We’re talking something the size of the Tunguska event in 1908 — the one that flattened 800 square miles of forest. 

So yeah, fingers crossed it just keeps flying by. No need to panic!

Tags: Newsscience & technologySpace

What's Popular

Unsplash | LeeAnn Cline
Bed & Bath

Wife Sparks Debate After She Says There’s No Need To Iron Bedsheets

Remodelaholic | https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:30_Hudson_Yards_(92900).jpg
DIY Projects

You Can Make Your Own Backyard Oasis With A Fire Pit Just In Time For Summer

yellow fish inflatable
Gardening & Landscaping

Gardener’s Genius Hack: Using A Kiddie Pool As A Flower Bed

Unsplash
DIY Projects

10+ Unique Ways To Repurpose Old Wooden Pallets

  • About Us
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • DMCA

Discover creativity and comfort with Diply—your go-to lifestyle hub for DIYs, beauty tips, recipes, home inspiration and more! © 2024 Diply

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • DIY
  • Home & Garden
  • Food & Drink
  • Cooking & Recipes
  • Bed & Bath
  • Pets & Animals

Discover creativity and comfort with Diply—your go-to lifestyle hub for DIYs, beauty tips, recipes, home inspiration and more! © 2024 Diply